Chloride (Cl)

What To Think About

• The results from a blood or urine chloride test do not provide enough information to diagnose a specific disease or problem. Your doctor will talk with you about how your results may be caused by your symptoms or medical history.
• Potassium chloride (found in salt substitutes) can lower your blood chloride levels but raise your urine chloride levels.
• Tests for sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate usually are done at the same time as a blood test for chloride. For more information, see the medical tests Sodium (Na) in Blood, Potassium (K) in Blood, and Bicarbonate.
• The skin sweat test for chloride is used to test for cystic fibrosis. For more information, see the medical test Sweat Test.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: April 17, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine
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